A London professor who ran his own sperm donation service has been spared jail for sexually assaulting one of his clients.

Professor Gennadij Raivich was given a suspended jail term for sexual assault

Professor Gennadij Raivich, who worked at University College London, claimed to have fathered 58 children - performing home visits on women he met online through sperm donor websites. He used a fake name when visiting the women and called his methods 'Artificial Insemination Plus' - promising 'extras' to his clients.

He was given a suspended prison sentence of nine months for two counts of sexual assault.

Raivich used his qualifications as a medical doctor to attack a woman who was desperate to become a mother.

When she was at her most vulnerable he went on to exploit and abuse her for his own sexual gratification. The victim bravely gave evidence against Raivich, which ultimately led to his conviction for serious sexual offences.

Eating seven portions of fruit and vegetables is healthier and has a more protective effect, researchers in London claim.

New research suggests that five helpings of fruit and vegetables a day may not be enough. Credit: PA Wire

Current guidelines issued by the NHS suggests that every person has five different 80g portions of fruit and vegetables a day,

A new study from the University College London (UCL) suggests that eating seven or more helpings every day can reduce a person's risk of dying of cancer by 25 per cent and heart disease by 31 per cent.

After examining the eating habits of 65,000 people in England between 2001 and 2013, researchers found that a person's overall risk of death was reduced by 42 per cent if they consumed more than seven portions.

A number of the UK's leading universities are sliding down international rankings, jeopardising their reputations as some of the best places in the world to study for a degree, according to research.

The UK has 10 entrants in the Times Higher World Reputation Rankings this year, up one from 2013, but down from three years ago when there were 12 in the top 100.

Besides Oxford and Cambridge, these were Imperial College London (13th), the London School of Economics (24th), University College London (25th) and King's College London (43rd), as well as the London Business School and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.